Comments on: Amelia Rayno’s courageous story teaches lessons of compassion and journalismhttps://cronkite.asu.edu/mcguireblog/amelia-raynos-courageous-story-teaches-lessons-of-compassion-and-journalism/
Wed, 12 Aug 2015 18:11:32 +0000hourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.3By: Phil Grimeshttps://cronkite.asu.edu/mcguireblog/amelia-raynos-courageous-story-teaches-lessons-of-compassion-and-journalism/#comment-55500
Wed, 12 Aug 2015 18:11:32 +0000https://cronkite.asu.edu/mcguireblog/?p=349#comment-55500I guess I must be one of those “naïve” men (although not on Twitter), as I somewhat disagree as to the courage Ms. Rayno demonstrated in this situation. I have followed this situation from the moment it became public to now, and from an outsider’s perspective at least, Ms. Rayno only spoke up once the transgressor was removed from any position of authority.

Reading her own description of the situation, this was not something that the U administration could have swept under the rug had she come forward to them far earlier. After all, she had both written and audio evidence of Mr. Teague’s actions and words. Sure, a single incident could have been shrugged off by them as a “misunderstanding” (though it shouldn’t), but she could show a continuing pattern of behavior that continued long after she asked him to stop it. In most workplaces, a single incident would be enough to get the perpetrator fired; in the case of someone with the authority of Mr. Teague, it might take more. However, she dealt with an ongoing pattern for at least two years before coming forward, and then only after he was gone.

I think Ms. Rayno is a great beat reporter covering Gopher basketball for the Strib. She has proven her ability time and again in getting the story and keeping the fans informed very well. I hope she remains in her spot, and does not feel that she needs to go elsewhere or change positions because of this. I just cannot laud her for any unusual courage in coming forward when it was only in the aftermath that she did so.

Actually, the ones who should be questioned as to any ethical lapses are the human resources personnel, and the editors, if they knew of the situation. There was no reason Ms. Rayno had to endure such an uncomfortable work environment for so long, just to “keep a contact” and have access.

Thanks for the thoughtful post on the events surrounding the actions of Norwood Teague. I experienced blatant harassment, when as a young professional, I moved from an urban culture in Minnesota, to help start a YMCA in Central Kentucky. I was completely unprepared for how African Americans were treated in the South and while I knew what I was seeing was wrong, I had no idea how to speak out against it, especially given my task of starting a Y and not wanting to jeopardize my position or that of the YMCA.

While I have always promoted and tried to cultivate a culture of inclusivity and ethical treatment of human beings, your post reminds me that I have a duty to also go beyond my own self preservation and have the courage to speak up and hold those in authority accountable for their actions.

I’ve always been a bit ashamed I didn’t take a stronger stance to fight what I thought was wrong all those many years ago in Kentucky. Your post reminds me to be more constructive and purposeful in my actions (in these kinds of situations) and to encourage others around me to do the same.